Legal Documentation in Türkiye: A Comprehensive Guide to Documents and Responsible Authorities

Many documents in Türkiye require legal notarization by various government authorities to ensure their validity and use in legal and administrative transactions.

Documentation ranges from legal contracts to personal certificates, and involves complex procedures aimed at maintaining the legal order in the country.

In this report, we will discuss the types of documents that need to be notarized in Türkiye and the authorities responsible for these processes.

Types of Documents Requiring Notarization in Türkiye

Legal Contracts:

• Marriage contracts, divorce, wills, or any legal agreements between parties.

• Lease, sale, and purchase contracts for land or property.

• Employment contracts or commercial agreements.

Personal Documents:

• Birth certificates.

• Marriage or divorce certificates.

• Passports (in some cases).

Educational Documents:

• Academic certificates such as high school, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

• Certified translations of academic certificates and degrees.

Commercial Documents:

• Company registration documents or documents related to company formation.

• Invoices and commercial certificates related to business activities.

• Certificates of origin and documents related to export and import.

Legal Documents:

• Power of attorney for a lawyer or for property transactions.

• Authentication of legal documents related to companies, such as the articles of association or meeting minutes.

Medical Documents:

• Medical certificates (e.g., medical reports or disability certificates).

• Medical documentation for people with disabilities or certificates related to health procedures.

Real Estate Documents:

• Notarization of real estate sale and purchase transactions.

• Notarization of property rights or any changes related to real estate.

Financial Documents:

• Notarization of bank accounts or financial transactions related to loans or mortgages.

International Authentication:

• When documents will be used abroad, they must be notarized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye or Turkish embassies and consulates abroad.

Note: If the documents are in a foreign language, they typically require a certified translation, which must also be notarized by a notary public.

Authorities Responsible for Notarizing Documents in Türkiye

Notary (Noter):

• Role: The notary is the primary authority for notarizing documents in Türkiye.

• Documents Notarized:

• Commercial and financial contracts.

• Marriage or divorce contracts.

• Power of attorney.

• Legal declarations and commitments.

• Signature certification on documents.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye:

• Role: Authenticates documents for use outside Türkiye after they have been notarized by a notary.

• Documents Notarized:

• Documents to be used abroad, such as educational certificates, commercial contracts, and legal documents.

• Birth, marriage, and divorce certificates for international use.

• Medical certificates or other documents needed for use in other countries.

Turkish Embassies and Consulates:

• Role: Authenticates documents for use in the countries they represent.

• Documents Notarized:

• Documents to be used abroad after being authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye.

• Documents requiring confirmation by the relevant embassy or consulate.

Governor (Vali):

• Role: The highest authority in each province in Türkiye.

• Documents Notarized:

• Educational certificates.

• Marriage and divorce certificates.

• Death certificates.

• Lease and ownership contracts for land and property.

• Address changes or updates in civil records.

• Residency documents for foreigners in Türkiye.

District Governor (Kaymakam):

• Role: The authority responsible for sub-regions within each province (districts or municipalities).

• Documents Notarized:

• Educational certificates and other documents related to the district.

• Marriage and divorce certificates.

• Death certificates.

• Lease and property ownership documents within the district.

• Address changes and updates in civil records at the district level.

• Residency documents for foreigners in the district.

Sworn Translators (Yeminli Tercüman):

• Role: If the document is in a foreign language, it must be translated by a sworn translator.

• Documents Notarized:

• Legal translation of foreign documents such as educational certificates or contracts.

• Translation of residency, marriage, or divorce documents.

Steps for Notarization in Türkiye in Order:

• Document Preparation:
  
  

• First, ensure you have the document that needs notarization (such as a marriage contract, birth certificate, sale and purchase contract, or other document).

• Ensure the document is correctly written. If it is in a foreign language, you will need a certified translation from a sworn translator.

• Notarization by Notary (Noter):
  
  

• Step 1: Visit the designated notary office in your area.

• Step 2: Submit the original document along with the certified translation (if it is in a foreign language).

• Step 3: The notary will authenticate the document by adding their official stamp and signature, proving its legal validity.

• Verification for International Authentication (if needed):
  
  

• If the document will be used abroad (e.g., academic certificates or commercial contracts), an additional step is required.

• Notarization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye:
  
  

• Submit the notarized document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye for official authentication for use abroad.

• Authentication at Turkish Embassies and Consulates (if used abroad):
  
  

• If the document will be used in a specific country, it must be authenticated by the Turkish embassy or consulate in that country, after being authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye.

• Notarization at the Provincial Level (for local documents):
  
  

• For documents requiring authentication from the province (e.g., educational certificates or marriage contracts), visit the Governor’s office (Vali) for official notarization.

• Notarization at the District Level (for local documents):
  
  

• For documents related to a specific district or municipality, go to the District Governor’s office (Kaymakam) for notarization.

• Ensure Legal Translation (if the document is in a foreign language):
  
  

• If the document is in a foreign language, ensure it is translated by a sworn translator.

• The sworn translator must also notarize the translation at the notary public.

Final Summary:

• Prepare the document.

• Notarize it at the Notary (Noter).

• Notarize at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (if the document is for international use).

• Authenticate at the Turkish embassy or consulate (if the document will be used abroad).

• Notarize at the Governor’s office (Vali) or District Governor’s office (Kaymakam) if necessary.

• Translate the document by a sworn translator (if it is in a foreign language).